nibble

Meaning

Noun

1. A small, quick bite taken with the front teeth.
2. Small snacks such as crisps/potato chips or nuts, often eaten to accompany drinks.

Verb

1. To eat with small, quick bites.
2. To bite lightly.
3. To consume gradually.
4. To find fault; to cavil.
5. Synonym of tramline (“of a vehicle: to follow contours in the ground with its wheels”)

Synonyms

bite

gnaw

peck

nip

nybble

bite at

chew

snack

munch

nag

pick

⛏️

gnaw at

graze

crumb

piece

pinch

snap

taste

tidbit

peck at

snap at

pasture

comforter

biting

pick at

bite with front teeth

browse

plane

catch

have a smattering of

sting

suck

child’s pacifier

eat

🍽️

tweak

twinge

whittle away

divide in two

crunch

knap

morsel

eat little by little

nab

gradually do something

nick

grass

pasturage

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnɪbəl/

Etymology

Probably of Dutch or Low German origin, perhaps from Middle Low German nibbelen (“to gnaw”), akin to modern Low German nibbeln (“to gnaw”) and Dutch nibbelen (“to nibble”), equivalent to nip + -le (frequentative suffix). Compare Saterland Frisian nibje (“to nibble”).